Carvin Vader headless basses

[LostInSauce]

Man I REALLY want to like this bass; alas, on paper it's turning away from everything I hold as "comfortable". I got wide palms supporting stubby fingers and I was hoping Carvin would put up another bass with 17mm spacing. 3" spacing at the 24th fret really feels like I'm running my fingers over the distance of a football field; especially around the 12th fret. I like active electronics for many reasons, especially if the on board EQ is great (as Carvins are). Having actives prevents me from being required to own an EQ pedal, and I like that. And it looks ssooooo freakin cool!! My brain harkens back to when I saw my first Steinberger in a magazine as a teenager.

Another thing is the price. The Vader prices out at $1309 (with no options and no shipping) which doesn't seem too bad when compared to the new Icon 5 which prices at $1519 (with no options and no shipping). The price of every neck through Carvin makes has gone way up; which I believe is a big surprise to nobody. I believe Carvin is ascending into the boutique market

Maybe my perspective is wrong. Perhaps my idea of "affordable" is different than the target audience. IMO, if you're gonna drop anything over $1,000 for a bass; you should be able to get what looks and feels good to you with no exceptions.

 

[Lackey]

Man I REALLY want to like this bass; alas, on paper it's turning away from everything I hold as "comfortable". I got wide palms supporting stubby fingers and I was hoping Carvin would put up another bass with 17mm spacing. 3" spacing at the 24th fret really feels like I'm running my fingers over the distance of a football field; especially around the 12th fret. I like active electronics for many reasons, especially if the on board EQ is great (as Carvins are). Having actives prevents me from being required to own an EQ pedal, and I like that. And it looks ssooooo freakin cool!! My brain harkens back to when I saw my first Steinberger in a magazine as a teenager.

Another thing is the price. The Vader prices out at $1309 (with no options and no shipping) which doesn't seem too bad when compared to the new Icon 5 which prices at $1519 (with no options and no shipping). The price of every neck through Carvin makes has gone way up; which I believe is a big surprise to nobody. I believe Carvin is ascending into the boutique market

Maybe my perspective is wrong. Perhaps my idea of "affordable" is different than the target audience. IMO, if you're gonna drop anything over $1,000 for a bass; you should be able to get what looks and feels good to you with no exceptions.

To be fair though, is there any bass maker out there in Carvin's price range that offers better options? If there is. I surely haven't found them.

 

[BassikLee]

There are only a few makers of headless tuning systems. While hipshot does offer different widths, I think carvin went with 19mm due to the sales of their other fives with that spacing. My free opinion. Worth every penny.

 

[fuzzychaos]

Another thing is the price. The Vader prices out at $1309 (with no options and no shipping) which doesn't seem too bad when compared to the new Icon 5 which prices at $1519 (with no options and no shipping). The price of every neck through Carvin makes has gone way up; which I believe is a big surprise to nobody. I believe Carvin is ascending into the boutique market

Indeed, this is differentiating the Kiesel Customs from the "plain" old Carvin standard models.

 

[calypsocoral302]

I gotta say, this certainly looks pretty interesting. I am also one of those guys who considers 19mm string spacing a definite plus.

I think this body design actually looks BETTER as a bass than it does a guitar! Definitely less... erm... "cheeky"... if you catch my drift...

I'll wait for a few guys to get their hands on it first. If all goes well, i just might have to take the plunge...

 

[emjazz]

I REALLY hope that this means they may offer the headless design with another body shape or two in the future. A Vanquish headless would be outstanding.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

But... But... What about the steinberger...

 

[Toptube]

I like active electronics for many reasons, especially if the on board EQ is great (as Carvins are). Having actives prevents me from being required to own an EQ pedal, and I like that. And it looks ssooooo freakin cool!! My brain harkens back to when I saw my first Steinberger in a magazine as a teenager.

You can get a pre-amp in these. I'm not sure if it is in the online builder, but you can do it. Jeff said so in a video and they otherwise totally have the means to.

the new Icon 5 which prices at $1519 (with no options and no shipping). The price of every neck through Carvin makes has gone way up; which I believe is a big surprise to nobody. I believe Carvin is ascending into the boutique market

To be fair, the new Icon 5 has free zebrawood or purple heart body top, and headstock veneer----with contrast layers between each.

I do agree though, it is a bummer that seems to be forced on you, up front. However, I would like to believe, to the point of near cerainty, that they would still make an "S" model Icon, without top and whatnot, for a lower price, if you called and asked.

 

[gzarruk]

there was a question about whether or not the 5 would offere 17mm and the 6 would offer 19mm------but it turns out they made some typos in the online builders, which have been removed. So that means no 17mm option, for the 5er.

Yep, I asked them about this. Really wanted them to offer a narrower string spacing for the 5er.

Do you think they'll change their mind and offer a narrower version?

PS: A fanned fret version would be nice too

 

[smperry]

Wow, I like these a lot! Just priced out one in orange just for kicks.

 

[Dave Siff]

That's a whole lot of extra $$, however.

For sure. The Carvin is a great, lower-priced option if you want a headless bass for the rotation. If I was thinking of it as my new main bass, I'd probably go for a Roscoe.

 

[thehangingmist]

I like it (in spite of the Anna Sentina endorsement). I'm curious to find out more. I'm in the market for a 5 string headless for travel. Would love one that doesn't look like 1984.

You've got to see the uber jay custom I got
I am making a video about it soon but most guys would get a regular dual cut, I am just crazy LOL. But the neck comes off really easy if you want it to and then it becomes even smaller to fit into any plane cabin. Fits in a guitar case otherwise without neck displacement

 

[Orangeclawhammr]

Interesting that they're doing 30" as a no-charge option.

I'm screwed.

 

[krovx]

Is it sad that the Vader lines make me think of:

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best bass for metal?

 

[Wolfhound32]

That's kind of my thought. I had really good experiences with them in the early 90s. I believe they even gave me a free replacement speaker for one that I most likely effed up myself.

I've ordered from Carvin many times over the last three or four years, and their customer service has been stellar! For example, the hard case I received with one of my guitars had a latch that didn't open & close smoothly because of a slightly bent latch. Carvin sent ups to pick up the flawed case and sent me a new one at absolutely no cost to me.
Just my $0.02

 

[TolerancEJ]

That looks awesome! Before clicking the link, I hadn't imagined they would offer a 6-string version. Pleasantly surprised.

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[DiabolusInMusic]

Is it sad that the Vader lines make me think of:

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best bass for metal?

Not sad at all. It's always Vader time in my heart.

*throws up the V*

 

[RED J]

That's really nice. I've never owned a headless, maybe i will someday, but the ones that look like a 2x6 with strings just don't do it for me.

 

[Menorahman]

Wonder how they compare to the Maruszczyk Frog headless.

 

[Handyman]

Wonder how they compare to the Maruszczyk Frog headless.

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Pointier and much less expensive is my guess.